And so, with hearts pounding and anticipation at its peak, the winner of Awakening Within 2025 is…

B. SCOTT BORING - THERE’S ONE

B. Scott Boring recently retired after a 32-year career in public education, where he taught English, Creative Writing, Public Speaking, and Drama. He also was an assistant principal for 14 years. He currently lives in Port Saint Lucie, FL, and after teaching others to write for 32 years, he is now writing for the creativity, the enjoyment, and the artistry of it. He joined the Morningside Writing Group in July of 2024, and he knew he had stories to share. If he didn’t tell them, who would? He is an anecdotalist and short story writer by genre, and he loves the irony of it. Anecdote means unpublished, and he’s publishing them. In addition, he loves the irony of his last name. Recently, he has authored a short story collection about his parents’ birthplace, Bolivar, PA.

The journey of words is more than ink on a page—it is a reflection of the soul, a bridge between the seen and the unseen, a whisper from the deepest corners of our being. Some stories touch the mind, but then there are those rare, sacred ones that reach the spirit—that wrap around your heart like a warm embrace, leaving behind a quiet awakening.

Our First Runner-Up has done just that. Their piece was not just beautifully written; it was deeply felt—a river of wisdom, flowing gently yet powerfully, carrying with it reflections of life, healing, and transformation. It spoke in a language beyond words, inviting us to pause, to breathe, and to truly listen.

And now, with immense gratitude and admiration, we honor the First Runner-Up of Awakening Within 2025…

TANNER HOWARD - COLLECTION

Tanner Howard is a poet from Southern Appalachia. He is a graduate of Georgia College and has had several poems published in literary magazines like Deep Wild and West Trade. He is deeply inspired by the mountains and folklore of the region, as well as contemporary horror literature and movies.

Some words feel like a gentle breeze, others like a roaring storm. And then, there are those rare ones that feel like a quiet sunrise—soft yet powerful, illuminating something within us that we didn’t even realize needed light.

Our Second Runner-Up crafted a piece that did just that. Their words carried a sense of stillness, reflection, and quiet awakening like a prayer whispered into the universe. Their story was more than just writing—it was a moment of peace, a reminder to pause, to feel, and to listen to the truths hidden in silence.

And now, with deep appreciation and heartfelt admiration, we celebrate the Second Runner-Up of Awakening Within 2025…


DONNA HARLAN - THE MOON KNOWS

Donna Harlan has published two poetry collections and is a reader for three literary journals. She resides in Jonesborough, TN, with her husband.

Before we unveil the finalists, let’s take a moment to reflect—this journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. Each piece submitted to Awakening Within 2024 carried a unique essence, a whisper of wisdom, a flicker of transformation. Some words felt like a deep breath after a long storm, while others were like soft ripples in still water, gently shifting something within us.

But among these incredible voices, a few stood out—writers whose words resonated, whose stories stirred something deep within the soul, whose presence in this contest has been nothing less than luminous.

And so, with immense gratitude and admiration, we celebrate our Finalists of Awakening Within 2025…

DIANE BELL - LAMENT TO BLESSED MOTHER

Diane Bell is a writer living in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She is a retired educator and has spent many years working with young students to find their voice as writers. She is now putting her own work into the world. She is a member of Lit!Commons, a writing community with The Loft Literary Center. Her work is forthcoming in #BloodLore: A White Stag Anthology and Kaleidoscope: Exploring the Experience of Disability through Literature and the Fine Arts.

IT IS THE PAIN THAT I WRITE - TOM MARROTTA JR

Tom Marrotta (aka Jack Cooper) is the author of In the Spirit of Playmates and other biomythographical pieces about life’s painful experiences—intolerance, injustices, and the resulting tragedies. He has an MA from Union College in upstate NY, where he spends his time with the love of his life and his Great Dane, Jack. His work has been published in Flumes Literary Journal, Weasel Press, Limit Experience Journal, Coffee People Zine, Miracle Monocle, Plentitudes Journal, Prometheus Dreaming, Two Sisters Writing and Publishing, Pride and Presents, Red Noise Collective, Running Wild Press Short Story Anthology, Wingless Dreamers Publication, Wild Sounds Writing Festival, Beyond Words, Beyond Queer Words, and RIZE Short Story Anthology.

SHANE ELIZABETH ROCHE - LIFE IS BUT A FREQUENCY

Shane Elizabeth holds an MFA in Nonfiction and a bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism. She has been a non-scripted TV story producer for the past fifteen years, working on countless hit docu-series, competition shows, and reality TV. She is also an award-winning screenwriter who focuses on telling true stories with her words.

XAVIER FOX - I AM A SONG

Xavier J.P. Fox is a young writer from Bloomington, Illinois. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Illinois State University and has had previous work published in Polyglossia, Poet's Choice, Euphemism, WILDsound, and FreeSpirit.

CHRISTINA DAMERS - CHASING A HEART-SHAPED CLOUD

Christina damers, is a 43yr. old mother of 7 beautiful kids who she loves with all her heart and soul. She has previously struggled with her self-worth and self-love, but through life's struggles and heart aches has learned through her lifes lessons and experiences that learning to love yourself and knowing your self-worth is the most important thing one soul is to understand. She has two poems previously published in books and has been studying things that range from, Ancestral healing, galactic connections, starseed origins, inner child healing, shadow work, the human design and soul contracts.